Hennessy has established itself as a brand that aims for consistent perfection in every bottle they produce, ensuring they replicate the same taste year after year, bottle after bottle. This is the true art of artisan "savoir-faire", of mastery in their field. Hennessy Cognac VSOP Privilege is the culmination of the craftsmanship that the estate has perfected over centuries of hard work. A traditional, careful aging process in handcrafted French oak barrels allow each of the 60 eaux-de-vie to express themselves, coming to full fruition during this maturation process.
Produced using 100% Ugni Blanc grapes, it's a perfect harmony between the quality eaux-de-vie and the expertise of Hennessy master blenders. The VSOP itself is typical of its kind, with pleasant aromas, a delicate balance and a long-lasting finish. On the nose, soft spices are immediately made present, such as vanilla, clove and cinnamon. The maturation in French oak barrels creates a secondary scent of toasted notes. When sipping this classic Cognac, strength and smoothness converge in a beautifully orchestrated blend of flavors, followed by a softer note of freshly pressed grapes before a lengthy finish.
The very name VSOP, which has become a benchmark in age categories for all Cognac makers, began when the Prince of Wales, King George IV of Great Britain personally requested a "Very Special Old Pale" from Hennessy in 1817. This VSOP is the original, the unparalleled and one of the most famous Cognacs across the world.
Of course, Hennessy VSOP Privilege can be enjoyed neat, but equally it is commonly used by mixologists across the world in both classic and complex, contemporary recipes thanks to its versatility and established presence on the market.
How about trying it in a "Hennessy Sazerac"?
Ingredients:
A traditional and instantly recognizable design, the Hennessy VSOP has a distinct shape that is typical of the estate. History and heritage come together in this classic and timeless design.
After finishing and enjoying this bottle, I had to look up and see how much a replacement would cost. When I saw it was only $35, I thought it was going to be a regular staple. Then I realized this was the Privilege, which runs about $70. Despite normally being a frugal cheapskate, I think I will be buying a new bottle.
** As a disclaimer, I inherited this bottle from a roommate for free, so the value for money is definitely 5 stars.
I had a snifter of Hennessy VSOP earlier this evening at a restaurant following a pleasant dinner, and Iit was an ideal finishing touch to a fine meal. My previous experience with Hennessy Cognac was the VS or 3 star variety. I had previously been somewhat disappointed with the brand until this evening. The VSOP was very pleasant and satisfying, to say the least.
Nose: this is the most difficult for me to analyze, since the nose seems rather complex, and rather weak. Taste is better than nose, and I would describe it a s flavorfully complex but with definite honeyilike sweetness and significant tones of vanilla, and stronger hints of the oak from the casks. Not much in terms of floral or fruit hints to my palate. The finish initially a tad rough but became much smoother as time passed, and with a definite oak character. Long and decently satisfying. Compares well to the Courvoisier VSOP. A bit pricier, however and thereby ranked a bit lower in value for the money,
You may think, that with Hennessy’s ability to innovate and push boundaries, they are a thoroughly ‘modern’ Cognac brand. This is a large part of their immense success and influence. The very French brand based in the Charente region, in fact, dates all the way back to 1765 - to Ireland - but have managed to shapeshift enough times to remain more relevant than ever before - with current Master Blender Renaud Fillioux. Their range of uber-trendy products is ever expanding, and their marketing campaigns all the more captivating. There is no doubt that ‘Henny’ culture is alive and kicking: both Cognac and a fifth of Hennessy are mentioned in what seems like hundreds of songs.
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